Country singer Kree Harrison made it to the Top 40 on Season 12 of 'American Idol,' swaying the judges by singing Grace Potter's 'Stars' in memory of her departed mother.

The Texas-born singer lost her father in a plane crash when she was 12, and in an incredibly cruel twist of fate, she also lost her mom in a car accident. She is somewhat of a Nashville veteran, having had a record deal with Lyric Street briefly, as well as a publishing deal.

She sang the Potter track in a soulful, emotional performance that amply displayed not only the quality of her voice, but also her way of conveying the emotional intent of a song.

The judges were blown away. "I fought for you a few times, and I know why," Keith Urban said. "Because your voice is one of my favorites in the entire competition."

Mariah Carey agreed, saying, "There's something that feels genuine about you as a performer."

Nicki Minaj became a convert on the spot, telling the young performer, "I feel like today you became a star in front of me."

Harrison joins Janelle Arthur as one of the Top 40 in this year's 'American Idol.'